Artificial ear-drum.



No. 692,556; i Patented Feb. '4',' I902.

A. V-ON sucnonzvusm & MQKDHL.

ARTIFICIAL EAR DRUM.-

' (Application mm on. a, 1901.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

ANTON VON SUCHORZYNSKI AND MAX KOHL, OF BRESLAU, GERMANY.

ARTIFICIAL EAR-DRUM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,556, dated February 4, 1902.

Application filed October 8, 1901. Serial No.77,96'8- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

ZYNSKI, engineer, of' Lohestrasse No. 7, and

MAX KOHL, merchant, of Brandenburgerstrasse No. 4E4, Breslau, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Ear-Drums, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of the invention are to secure IO a free escape of air from between the natural and artificial tympans in the adjustment of the device in the ear Without reducing the active surface of the artificial tympan, and to provide means in the apparatus for distend- I5 ing sunken portions of the natural tympan and bringing it into natural position. To

this end the tympan of the artificial drum is provided with an inwardly-opening valve, which closes automatically after adj ustmentof the artificial drum and practically preserves the Whole area of the artificial tympan for active service, and this tympan is also preferably provided with a metallic plate which presses on the apophysis of the malleus.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings represents a vertical section of thehuman ear with this improved ear-drum introduced therein. Fig. 2 represents a horizontal sec- 0 tion of a human ear-cavity, showing the position of the tympanic membrane at an angle to the axisof the auditory cavity and the situation of the ossicles and cochlea. Fig. 3 represents, on an enlarged scale, an exterior view of a tympan of the left human car, showthis artificial ear-drum. Figs. 7 and 8 represent perspective views of different forms thereof.

The same reference-letters indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

This artificial ear-drum is preferably constructed of the best thin vulcanized rubber and comprises a bag-like tube a, having an elongated lip at its outer end and an artificial tympan 6, closing the inner end thereof.

56 This tympan b is disposed at an angle to the axis of the tube a, and it is provided with a small ventilation-valve c, which opens to- I ward the interior of the tube, being an out- Be it known that we, ANTON VON SUOHQR- artificial tympan h comes in contact with the natural ear-drum. During this insertion the air within the cavity may escape through the valve 1;, and this valve also permits the escape of air from between the natural and artificial tympans, so that aclose contact between them is effected. When the artificial tympan b is provided with a metal plate g, thisplate presses on the short apophysis of the malleus is, Fig. 3, and tendsthereby to distend the sunken'portions of the tympanic membrane, which are pushed together with a chain of ossicles toward the exterior part of the earcavity, and thus brought into a normal situation. By means of the springy membraneb the pressure of the plate 9 is very elastic, and

this pressure can be regulated by the person using the apparatus to suithis sensibility. In old cases where the ossicles and tympanic membrane have grown together the pressure can be repeated and a kind of shampooing exerciseimparted thereto. Thisshampooing operation gradually pushes the membrane toward the outside and brings it approximately into normal position, Where it has a greater susceptibility to the action of the sound waves, and the hearing is improved.

In cases of suppurating ear diseases a thin layer of cotton impregnated, if desired, with some medicament may be laid in the pipetube a, and a thin layer of cotton may also be wrapped around the membrane b, and the suppurating matter will be completely absorbed by the cotton through the perforations 0.

These ear-drums will be differently shaped for the right and left ears, and will be of different sizes adapted for men, women, and children.

sizes in the apparatus will suffice, notwith- Generally three or four different said membrane adapted to open inwardly of said tube and a metallic plate secured to the exterior surfaceof said membrane above the 15 center thereof.

In witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands in presence of two witnesses.

ANTON VON SUCI-IORZYNSKL MAX KOHL.

Vitnesses HERMANN BARTSCI-I, ALBERT SCHENK. 

